Healthiest Italian Pasta Salad Recipe A Mix Of Everything Good
If you’re craving a vibrant and flavorful dish, the Italian Pasta Salad recipe is a perfect choice, blending rotini, vegetables, and salami.
Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
Savor the flavors of Italy with the Italian Pasta Salad recipe, featuring rotini pasta, crisp vegetables, savory salami, and creamy mozzarella, all brought together with a homemade Italian dressing. This recipe stands out for its versatility, allowing you to tailor it to your taste by adding or swapping ingredients like bell pepper or broccoli.
Ingredients
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 6 oz salami, sliced into strips
- 10 oz cherry tomatoes, halved (3 cups)
- 1/2 English cucumber, diced
- 1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, pearls or halved mozzarella balls
- 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup roasted red peppers* drained and coarsely chopped
- 1/3 cup parsley, finely chopped
- 1 cup Italian dressing, or added to taste
Instructions
- Cook rotini pasta according to package instructions in salted water just until pasta is aldente (firm to the bite).
- While pasta cooks, prep the remaining ingredients and make Italian Dressing.
- Add dressing just to the portion fo salad you plan to eat. Enjoy right away or cover and let the salad marinate for 1-3 hours before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Grilled Chicken Breast
- Italian Sausage Links
- Caprese Skewers
- Garlic Bread
- Antipasto Skewers
- Bruschetta
- Marinated Artichoke Hearts
Tips and Tricks
- Rinse the cooked pasta under cold water to prevent it from sticking and to stop the cooking process immediately.
- Avoid adding oil or butter after cooking the pasta; rinsing is sufficient and the dressing will add the necessary fat.
- Customize the salad with veggies like bell peppers or crunchy broccoli, and try feta cheese for a Greek twist.
